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The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the upmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

It’s time to clear a few things that have been lingering around my desk, bits and pieces of market news that together explain some of what’s happening with today’s housing market and how it may change in the near and distant future.

More would-be buyers opting out of homeownership

The most popular theory about why more houses aren’t being sold: There simply aren’t enough properties on the market to go around. But according to a new study from Experian, one of the big three credit repositories, a big chunk of what would ordinarily be potential buyers have opted out of homeownership.

More than a quarter of the 1,000 people queried in a telephone survey in late June — 27 percent — told Experian that they have no interest in owning, not now and not five or 10 years from now. That’s up from 19 percent when pollsters asked the same question a year ago.

Another big reason: Folks want to remain mobile. Nearly two in five — 37 percent — want more flexibility to relocate than owning a house allows.

And then there are the two issues of cost and maintenance. One in four — 26 percent — have little desire to carry as much debt as is required to purchase a house, and the same percentage are happy that their landlords pay for upkeep.

Surprisingly, perhaps, 11 percent don’t think owning real estate is as valuable as it used to be, and 22 percent want to invest in something other than a home of their own.

Credit also is a concern. Some 43 percent told pollsters that they have applied for a mortgage in the past but were rejected. More than half cited their poor or limited credit histories, insufficient incomes and outstanding debt as the main reasons why they were turned down.

A small number also said their spouse’s poor credit histories and the lender’s inability to verify their incomes also played a part in their rejections.

Eventually, AVs, aka driverless cars, will put more money in consumers’ pocketbooks as autos switch from a consumer good to an on-demand service, freeing up some extra dough that would have been spent on monthly car payments and maintenance, Director of Research Rick Palacios surmises.

This, in turn, will bring about major shifts in the housing sector. According to Palacios:

•That will put a damper on drive-until-you-qualify markets beyond suburbia, but only for awhile. Once the majority of infill sites are repurposed, these locations will re-emerge. A long commute, yes, but by then AVs will allow people to sleep or work while the vehicle drives itself.

•Urban employment will be back in vogue as repurposed real estate will allow folks to live closer to city centers.

•Density will rise because streets won’t need to be as wide. There won’t be a need for massive driveways or two, three or four-car garages, either. As a result, people will be buying homes in which 100 percent of the space is truly livable.

•Construction costs will decline as transportation expenses for moving building products from plants and warehouses to construction sites dwindle. Also, construction time should fall as moving products becomes a 24/7 operation.

•The elderly will remain in their homes longer while aging in place because they will remain independent even after they lose their right to drive. And as a result, the remodeling market should flourish as seniors and retirees upgrade to make their places more livable in old age.

•How this all shakes out “is based on what we know today,” says the Burns chief researcher. Everything is subject to change, he adds, depending on government policies, which are difficult to predict.

But “all in all,” Palacios says, “we expect the advent of AVs to benefit the overall housing market and greater economy.”

The ominous inventory problem

The latest report on pending home sales from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) contained this ominous quote from NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun:

“Buyer traffic continues to be higher than a year ago, the typical listing has gone under contract within a month since April, and inventory at the end of July was 9.0 percent lower than last July. The reality, therefore, is that sales in coming months will not break out unless supply miraculously improves. This seems unlikely given the inadequate pace of housing starts in recent months and the lack of interest from real estate investors looking to sell.”

Toward that end, it is somewhat heartening to know that homebuilders around the country report that acquisition, development and construction financing continues to loosen.

“Though some concerns lurk, lending standards remain broadly supportive of continued loan growth,” said Michael Neal, an economist at the National Association of Home Builders.

The Caton Team is comprised of Susan and Sabrina Caton – a mother/daughter in law team. We are full time, local Realtors with over 25 years of combined Real Estate experience. How can The Caton Team help you?

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Sabrina Caton - The Caton Team Realtors

Sabrina is a native Californian born and raised in the Silicon Valley with a passion for Residential Real Estate. Partnered with her mother-in-law Susan - they are The Caton Team. With over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time. Call | Text at: 650-799-4333 | Email Info@TheCatonTeam.com
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true. The Peninsula is our backyard - let us help make it yours. We represent Buyer’s and Seller’s throughout the Bay Area.
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